More than 9,000 representatives from about 195 countries were gathered in the Polish capital for a two-week conference working towards a treaty to be signed in 2015 to fight climate change.

But the talks, which ended Nov. 21, have stuttered over several issues, particularly whether rich nations should pay developing countries for losses suffered due to the effects of climate change and a lack of pledges to cut emissions.

“The lack of meaningful leadership from governments here has delivered a slap in the face to those suffering as a result of dangerous climate change,” said Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo.

Marcin Korolec, who is chairing the talks, was sacked as Polish environment minister Nov. 20.

He remained in charge of the talks but the green groups damned the timing of the cabinet reshuffle.

They and many conference delegates said it showed that coal-dependent Poland, which is often reluctant to go along with EU plans for emissions cuts, had little interest in the UN talks.